Tehran ready to cooperate over alleged involvement of diplomat in plotted attack on opposition in France

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Monday said Tehran will work with France and Belgium in the investigations on the involvement of an Iranian diplomat in an alleged planned attack on an Iranian opposition group-based in France.

An Iranian diplomat based in Vienna, Austria had been arrested along with five other people; two in Belgium and three in France.

The diplomat, not identified, according to Belgian authorities was arrested in Germany.

Two suspects, a 38-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, identified as Amir S. and Nasimeh N. were nabbed Saturday by the Belgian policey, Reuters reports.

The suspects were charged with attempted terrorist murder and preparation of a terrorist act after the police found in their car 500 grams of TATP, a home-made explosive produced from easily available chemicals as well as a detonation device.

Three other suspects of Iranian origin were arrested in France over alleged links with the other suspects in Belgium, judicial authorities in France noted. Two of them were later released over lack of evidence, Reuters reports.

The diplomat and the suspects are accused of plotting an attack on a conference organized by Paris-based Iranian opposition group, National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). US President Donald Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani was in attendance.

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who was due to fly for Europe on a tour with President Hassan Rouhani on Tweeter called the incident a sinister “false-flag ploy” while pledging Tehran’s cooperation in the investigations.

“How convenient: Just as we embark on a presidential visit to Europe, an alleged Iranian operation and its “plotters” arrested,” Zarif tweeted.

“Iran unequivocally condemns all violence & terror anywhere, and is ready to work with all concerned to uncover what is a sinister false flag ploy.”

Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani said at the conference that Trump was pushing for regime change in the Islamic Republic. The gathering assembled thousands of western and Arab delegates opposed to the Iranian regime.